Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers and regional leaders on Friday extended warm greetings to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram as the two northeastern states marked their 40th Statehood Day on February 20. In messages from Guwahati and New Delhi, leaders lauded the states’ distinct identities and growing contributions to national development while highlighting progress in infrastructure, connectivity and social welfare.
Modi praised Arunachal Pradesh for its vibrant tribal heritage and deep bond with nature, calling it “the land where the sun rises first in the country” and saying the state’s culture and traditions make it truly special. In a letter to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the prime minister noted that the practice of greeting one another with “Jai Hind” reflects a living affirmation of national pride and unity. He pointed to central initiatives that have improved border connectivity over the past decade, saying thousands of kilometres of roads have been built and citing projects such as Donyi Polo Airport and the Sela Tunnel. Referring to the Vibrant Villages Programme, Modi urged that border settlements be seen as the country’s “first villages” rather than its last.
On Mizoram, Modi commended the state’s natural beauty, strong community spirit and rich traditions, saying Mizo culture blends heritage and harmony and expressing hope the state will continue on a path of peace, development and prosperity. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also sent greetings, wishing Arunachal sustained progress with preserved cultural heritage and peace and prosperity for Mizoram. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recalled Arunachal’s transition from the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) to a Union Territory in 1972 and on to statehood in 1987 as a testament to resilience.
At Statehood Day events in Itanagar’s IG Park, Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced 2025–2035 would be observed as the “Decade of Hydropower,” positioning the sector as central to the state’s economic future. He said 1.2 GW of hydropower capacity is operational and 4.8 GW is under construction. The 2,000-MW Subansiri Lower Project is expected to be completed this year (2026), while the 2,880-MW Dibang Project is targeted for completion by 2032. Khandu said upcoming hydropower projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore could generate about Rs 4,000 crore annually and create more than 30,000 direct and 16,000 indirect jobs.
Arunachal Pradesh also marked the day with celebrations at Jubilee Ground in Anini, where local leaders highlighted development gains and called for youth empowerment and civic responsibility. In Aizawl, Mizoram Governor General (Retd) Vijay Kumar Singh stressed the state’s strategic importance given borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, and its role in advancing India’s Act East Policy. He highlighted Mizoram’s progress in education, healthcare, infrastructure and sustainable development, along with its reputation for peace, cleanliness, a pleasant climate and its widely admired “no honking” traffic culture. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma thanked the prime minister and, in a post on a microblogging platform, said, “We remain committed to advancing Mizoram’s growth and contributing meaningfully to the nation’s progress.”
Both Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram attained full statehood on February 20, 1987, becoming the 24th and 23rd states of the Indian Union respectively; Arunachal had earlier been NEFA and a Union Territory from 1972, while Mizoram was carved out of Assam and granted statehood under the State of Mizoram Act, 1986.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/north-east/arunachal-mizoram-celebrate-40th-statehood-day-pm-modi-highlights-growth-unity-1608167
Category: North East,Featured
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Publish Date: 2026-02-20 18:17:00
